MADISON TOWNSHIP - The Madison Township Fire Department recently acquired a new EMS vehicle to replace a 14-year-old vehicle and plans to purchase a new fire engine soon to replace a 39-year-old engine.

The new vehicle, called Medic 74, is a 2016 Braun Chief XL demo unit purchased for about $170,000, according to a fire department press release.

The money for the vehicle, which will primarily be stationed at Station 72 on Belmont Avenue, came from the 1.75-mill fire levy township residents passed in November 2016, according to the press release.

The new vehicle replaces Squad 71, a 2004 Braun the department plans to refurbish and remount the end of this year or beginning of next year.

The fire department plans to replace a new fire engine to replace a fire engine from 1979 that has already been removed from service.

The department hopes to order the vehicle, estimated to cost between $400,000 and $425,000, by spring, with delivery expected late this year or early next year.

"Specifications have already been created by a department truck committee, and they’ve done an outstanding job of building a vehicle specifically for Madison Township but will also be beneficial for providing mutual aid for our neighboring departments," Madison Township Fire Chief Ron Luttrell said in the press release.

A building addition project at Station 72 on Belmont Avenue is also underway, with plans to add additional apparatus space and widen the overhead door.

The project should be completed by April 1.

Plans to update the station's living quarters to increase staffing in the future are also in the works.